Suspects allegedly defraud community leader of N5.475m
Police recover 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards, seven phones
The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters for allegedly impersonating top government officials to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of employment, political appointments and other government privileges.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun, following an investigation into their alleged fraudulent activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests, saying preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly used telephone numbers and caller-identification applications to deceive their victims.
According to him, the suspects allegedly impersonated prominent public officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor, Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, whom the police identified as Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor.
Edafe said the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of the officials to make their schemes appear genuine.
He explained that they also allegedly exploited caller-identification applications, which display names associated with incoming telephone numbers, to make victims believe they were speaking with the government officials.
In one of the alleged operations, the suspects reportedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of N5.475 million.
The money was allegedly collected under the pretext of facilitating the victim’s appointment as President-General of his community.
A search of the suspects’ premises reportedly led to the recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification details belonging to various individuals.
Edafe said investigations were ongoing to identify other possible victims and establish whether additional accomplices were involved in the alleged criminal operation.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, has warned members of the public against relying solely on caller-identification applications to establish the identity of people contacting them, particularly when such callers demand money or promise government appointments.
The commissioner urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to report to the police and provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The police advised members of the public to independently verify claims made by individuals purporting to represent government officials before transferring money or sharing sensitive personal information.
